Julen Lopetegui must make controversial Vladimir Coufal decision at West Ham United
Julen Lopetegui must make the controversial decision to start Vladimir Coufal for West Ham United against Tottenham.
The Czech Republic international has earned rave reviews for his performance in the 2-0 win against Albania in the UEFA Nations League on Friday [11 October] and is cementing his claim for a starting berth after the international break.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has solidified the right-back spot as his own since his move from Manchester United but has yielded mixed results with the Hammers only recording their second win in seven Premier League matches last time out in the 4-1 win against Ipswich Town last time out.
Coufal is one of several players in East London from the David Moyes era who slowly been moved out of the first-time picture under Lopetegui, but, with tough fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester United on the horizon, it could be time to ring in the changes at West Ham.
Vladimir Coufal should start over Aaron Wan-Bissaka for West Ham United
The full-back bounced back with the national side after a disastrous international performance against Ukraine in the last international break, to emerge into first-team contention on what will prove to be a crucial period for West Ham.
However, Coufal has lost his place in the starting lineup to Wan-Bissaka in recent weeks and, until his display on Friday, looked like there was no way back for him in East London.
But he has now sent a stark reminder to Lopetegui of his quality.
There is no doubt the start to the season has been underwhelming, the Irons had their sights set on a European spot this term and invested heavily over the summer to ensure the new boss had the required firepower to mount a push.
That could, of course, still happen but there needs to be much more consistency about this side.
Coufal has been an excellent servant for the Hammers and was a regular fixture under David Moyes, some of the new signings have thus far failed to integrate in East London, and therefore a return to the tried and tested players should be under consideration by Lopetegui as he navigates a period which could ultimately define his job.
Wan-Bissaka is the future for West Ham but the immediate desires of Premier League success must outweigh the long-term future for now, with so much scrutiny surrounding the club after recent performances.
The best managers make the bravest and boldest decisions and Lopetegui should choose experience to help overcome Tottenham and Manchester United.
In other West Ham news, a journalist was stunned at what he saw the Hammers do at the London Stadium – ‘Absolutely awful’.
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